Preparation

To prepare paneer, food acid (usually lemon juice, vinegar, citric acid or yogurt[citation needed]) is added to hot milk to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are drained in muslin or cheesecloth and the excess water is pressed out. The resulting paneer is dipped in chilled water for 2–3 hours to give it a good texture and appearance.

From this point, the preparation of paneer diverges based on its use and regional variation.

In most Nepalese cuisines, the curds are wrapped in cloth and placed under a heavy weight, such as a stone slab, for 2–3 hours, and then cut into cubes for use in curries. Pressing for a shorter time (approximately 20 minutes) results in a softer, fluffier cheese.

Dishes

Dating back to ancient India,[1][2] paneer remains the most common type of cheese used in traditional South Asian cuisines. The use of paneer is more common in Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh due to the prominence of milk in their cuisine. It is sometimes wrapped in dough and deep-fried or served with either spinach (palak paneer) or peas (mattar paneer).

The well-known rasgulla features plain chhana beaten by hand and shaped into balls which are soaked in syrup. The sana / chhana / chhena used in such cases is manufactured by a slightly different procedure from paneer; it is drained but not pressed, so that some moisture is retained, which makes for a soft, malleable consistency. It may, however, be pressed slightly into small cubes and curried to form a dalna in Maithili,Oriya and Bengali cuisines.

Fast food

Most international fast food restaurants in India offer paneer. McDonalds India serves the McSpicy Paneer[3] and Paneer Wrap.[4] In the United Kingdom, Subway has started serving a saag paneer patty. Tamatanga (Urban Indian Cuisine) restaurant also serves a Paneer Wrap.[5]Taco Bell India serves the paneer and potato burrito.[6] Pizza Hut,[7] Dominos,[8] and Papa Johns[9] have pizzas with paneer toppings.

Similar cheeses

Queso blanco or queso fresco are often recommended as substitutes in the Americas as they are commercially available in many American markets but paneer is not. Both are generally salted, unlike paneer.

Circassian cheese is produced with a similar technology and is close in consistency to paneer. However it is usually salted.